Back Bar Cooler vs Glass Door Merchandiser: Which Drinks Fridge Do You Need?
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Quick answerA back bar cooler is a low, wide undercounter fridge (around 880mm high) that sits behind a bar or counter: staff serve from it, and customers see the stock through glass doors. A glass door merchandiser is a tall, upright fridge that customers open themselves for grab-and-go drinks and snacks. Choose a back bar cooler for served drinks in pubs, bars and restaurants; choose a merchandiser for self-service in cafés, takeaways and shops.
Both are glass-door drinks fridges, and both sell with their lights on. The difference is who opens the door and where the fridge stands, and that decides the right shape, door style and size.
Key differences
| Back bar cooler | Glass door merchandiser | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | Undercounter, around 880mm | Full height, up to around 2m |
| Who opens it | Staff | Customers |
| Footprint | Wide and shallow, fits under a back bar | Narrow and tall, fits a gap in the floor plan |
| Best for | Pubs, bars, restaurants, coffee shop counters | Cafés, takeaways, convenience stores, bubble tea shops |
| Sales role | Shows the range behind the bar | Impulse self-service at eye level |
Hinged vs sliding doors
Hinged doors seal well and open fully for restocking. They need clear space in front to swing open, which can be tight behind a busy bar.
Sliding doors need no swing space, so staff can keep working in a narrow gap behind the counter. The trade-off is that only part of the cabinet is open at any one time.
Lockable doors are worth having on anything holding alcohol or high-value stock.
Compare Keloo's range
| Model | Type | Size | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GN-126H | Back bar, 1 hinged glass door | 600 x 505 x 880mm | Single door | £329.99 |
| GN-220H | Back bar, 2 hinged glass doors | 900 x 505 x 880mm | Approx. 200L | £399.99 |
| GN-320H | Back bar, 3 hinged glass doors | 1350 x 505 x 880mm | Approx. 320L | £449.99 |
| Back Bar Cooler 1340mm | Back bar, 3 sliding glass doors | 1340mm wide | 3 sections | £454.99 |
| Slimline Bottle Cooler | Upright, glass door | 390mm wide | 150L | £394.99 |
| Merchandiser 160L | Glass door, black | Compact | 160L | £486.99 |
| Merchandiser 215L | Upright, glass door, black | 515mm wide | 215L | £514.99 |
| Merchandiser 280L | Upright, glass door, black | 515 x 486 x 1982mm | 280L | £634.99 |
Prices correct at time of writing. Keloo's GN back bar coolers hold +2 to +8°C on a digital controller and run from a standard 13A socket.
How to size it
- Size for your busiest night, not an average one. Running out of chilled stock mid-service and refilling with warm bottles is the most common back bar problem. If in doubt, go one size up.
- Measure the gap, then add ventilation. Fridges need room to breathe. Check the clearance in the manual, particularly for undercounter units with front or rear ventilation.
- Count facings, not litres, for merchandisers. What sells is what customers can see at eye level. A taller cabinet in the same 515mm footprint gives more facings without more floor space.
- Load warm stock gradually. A full load of warm cans takes hours to pull down. Rotate new stock to the back and chilled stock to the front.
Frequently asked questions
What is a back bar cooler?
An undercounter glass-door fridge designed to sit behind a bar or counter, so staff can serve chilled bottles and cans while customers see the range.
What's the difference between a bottle cooler and a merchandiser?
"Bottle cooler" usually means a low back bar unit used by staff; "merchandiser" usually means a tall upright glass-door fridge customers open themselves. Both chill drinks; the difference is height and who uses them.
Hinged or sliding doors for a back bar?
Sliding doors suit narrow bars where there is no room for a door to swing. Hinged doors open fully for restocking and generally seal better.
Can I put food in a drinks merchandiser?
Many merchandisers are suitable for packaged chilled food such as sandwiches and desserts, provided they hold 8°C or below. Check the unit's temperature range and use a probe thermometer.
How long before a new fridge can be switched on?
Let it stand upright for several hours after delivery before switching on, so the refrigerant settles. The manual gives the exact time.
Find the right drinks fridge
Back bar coolers and glass door merchandisers with a 12-month warranty and UK-based support.
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